Oxbridge applicants 2018

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I've hesitated before making this thread as I don't really like the whole making Oxbridge out as a special case when there are lots of amazing universities that are just as good for individual courses. However, it is a different application process with a lot happening by January should they get that far and irl I don't know anyone else's dc applying to talk to them about it. I expect most of us are in that situation. At the moment I rely on dd and the occasional foray into student room to learn what happens next.

So welcome all parents of Oxbridge candidates - a thread to chat over what's to come and to support if our kids find they have to steer in a different direction.

Application forms due in in a few weeks

Jabbott that is hard lines. How's he taking it? Will he reapply next year?

inchyrablue St Catz is a lovely college. Good luck for your daughter!

Jabbot so sorry to hear that.

DS had a no for physics from Queen's. He's disappointed but hoping for better news from Imperial. If that's a no too, then he might think about re-applying next year if A Levels go well. Good luck to all with their interviews. Will occasionally lurk to see how they (and you) are doing.

Inchy, did your DD just get the invite this morning?
DS applied for MatSci at Catz which interview starts from Dec 11-13 even earlier than Chem! But we are still waiting!
Are we supposed to here latest by Fri then? Or if his interviews are scheduled on Dec 13, the latest notice deadline would be next Tue??

DS2 and DS3 had five days notice of interview.

thats really bad goodbyestranger!

Jabbott and Stephan, I am sorry. It is disappointing for them, I am sure they will both end up on fantastic courses.

It's not great Risotto but to be fair they were both in the first week of interviews and had an aptitude test to mark. Second week interviews should have relatively longer notice, given that all the Hats and Pats etc are taken on the same day. He should hear any second I should think!

Yes, sorry to hear of the disappointments. I understand that the PAT was incredibly tricky this year.

thanks goodbyestranger.

ya interviews of DS applied course is in the second week, plus it is one of rhe smallest departments, admitting only 32students per year! Only 7 colleges offer his course!

Risotto yes Just today. Her interviews are also 11-13 but they have told her she ought to arrive on Sunday because they will start at 10 on the 11th. Her friend who got a no yesterday for a different subject and college would have had interviews on the 5th - so really not much notice. She says that there are still two at School who haven’t heard - I don’t know their subjects though.

She’s just in from school and fairly glum. Another good friend got a no today. It’s quite a lot to process I think, though i’m sure she’ll figure it out eventually.

thanks inchy.

did her friends (who got deselected) also applied for Catz?

DS1 is a fresher at Oxford. His email inviting him for interview last year came on the equivalent of tomorrow evening, at 6.30!!

He wore shirt, jumper, jeans style trousers (not actual denim, navy cotton drill) and brown leather shoes. They were all clothes he had anyway and felt comfortable in.

Risotto one was Catz, and a (different) science. The others were all at older colleges.

So now on penicillin!!

DD's friend got his invitation on Tuesday for next Wednesday. He will have to spend several nights there as it is too far to travel on the day.

Also, what are the stats on being offered a place if you get an interview for history?

The official line is one in three.

DS3 is doing History interviews (as in being a student helper). The first time any of mine has actually been paid for helping!

DD had an interview at Imperial yesterday - engineering - said it was extremely tough, even though they had said repeatedly it would not be. Mindful of Kitten's weather posts I got her to buy a decent coat on the way back for Monday at Cambridge

Oooh Stranger. Do you know the stats for physics?

whiteroseredrose the uni always says roughly one in three across all subjects but when my DC have gone for interview there have always been weirdly more people interviewing than one in three and that's across four separate subjects. The problem with one in three at this point is that the competition tends to be tough too, so one in three looks pretty relaxed until you find the person next to you at supper has written three treatises already when they're not playing ballet for England.

Well done toomany! I kind of hope, it is cold enough that she needs it. Would be unfortunate if there was a mini heatwave!

Yes I can imagine there might be some mind games too!

random comma!

Hubble have you looked at the what to do when you're ill at interview page on the Oxford website?